Date of Defense

Spring 4-2011

First Advisor

Claudia M. Fajardo-Hansford, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Second Advisor

Richard B. Hathaway, Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Abstract

The Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) project is a collegiate design activity that requires students to design and manufacture an open-wheel, formula-style race vehicle according to a set of rules established by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) organization. In response to an increase in points awarded for fuel economy in Formula SAE competitions, the Western Michigan University Formula Race Team has decided to research direct-injection technology in order to redesign a single-cylinder Suzuki RMZ-450 in place of the current port-fuel-injected Suzuki GSXR 600 engine. In order to maintain the power to weight ratio, a cost-benefit analysis was performed to determine whether adding a forced air induction system is justified from performance and cost perspectives. The benefit of using turbo versus supercharging was evaluated to guide the selection of a forced-air induction system. The intake system, the exhaust system and the cam design was modified to incorporate the forced induction system. Design optimization was completed using numerical analysis and computer simulation methods, resulting in an engine with increased power-to-weight ratio and improved efficiency.

Comments

Team members: Scott Hamilton, Conrad Meekhof, Elliot Rose

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

Additional Files
Final presentation1104-08.pdf (8816 kB)
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